Fuse for projectiles.



H0. 822,289. PATENTED'JUNE 5, 1906.

Y P. MERRIAM. f

FUSE FOR PROJECTILBS. APPLIGATION FILED- JUNE 23, 1905.

2 sEnETs-sHEET 1.

5 o venting "th.

1Urrnn srarn.

rarnur oF I #Ion,

HENRY 'P. MERRIAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FUSEFOR PRO'JECTILES. i

171777 whom it may concern: 7' I Be it knox'vn that I, HENRY P. Marianne, a citizen of the United States, rzesidinght New Xork, in the county and State of New York,

5 have invented certainjnew anclnseful Improvements inFuses for Projectiles, of which 'the following is a specification.

present invention relates to improvements in'ftlie type of projectile-luses illusio tra tcd in mv United'States Letters Patent Nos. 770,084, 770,182, and 770,183, all grantedSeptember 1.3, 190i The uuderly ing'principleof thetvpe of fuse set forth in these patents is the control of the arming of a "I 5 percussion-fuse b v means of a series of centrifugallyreleased controlling devices, which are so'arra-n'ge'd relatively that each controllingdevicejis incapable of individ l movenien t, While all controlling devices 2 01move"simultaneously by the ac ion of said 'centrifugal iorce'for armingth IiQIljilS of fuses shown in my: prior patents fhave been practically tested and have proven highly eliic en't for the'purposes intended.

v ea d simplify the construction and re t c-e fe cost ofmanufacture of projectile- ;l'use'sof 'thistype'and'at the same time mainf the high efficiency of safety and certamtyofaction of such fuses. In constructjag this "typefoffuse in the past I have employed" a "suitable "hollow fuse-casing su pportam mmore primers, one or more firingpins mov'ably supported in the casing in operative relation to the primer or primers,-a

I sphericalliammer free-1v mounted in the casing in proper relation to the firing p 1 or pins,

I 1 a securing-pin alsoinovablv mounted in the teasing and e gagin the hammer and firing J fpinor pins, and a series of interlocking centrifugal 1v actuated controlling; devices 'n'iounted in the casing; and arranged'to 11orfinally lo ck the securing-pin against move-- l ment'jand adapted when released by centritural force to free the securing-pin, and

. therebvjarin the fuse; Inthis old farm of i" i the"controlhn; devices are'in the form the action ofcentrifugal force.

The improved formof fuse covered'by the present" application embodies the general principle of the oldiormas covered, broadly,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicatioiifiled Jane 23, 1905. SerialNo 266,609. i 2

- "llhelpuriioses of my present invention are "of the upper locl ing"'ends 'ofthe controlliii I radially-movable cylindricalblocks haw mf soniesui t hle interlocl'ring'means for pre' 1 individual movement and in-v suri'ng' 'tlieir fs'imiiltane'ous movement under above referred to hut specifically the nev iorm of fuse (lifters materially,froniz the, old. form. 1 I

In the newform oi iuse'I provide a longitu ho; din'ally-movahlc e plunger within; ,fuSecasing, and upon or Within this plungerul". mount the primer, the relatiw'etv movable 1 combined firing-pin and ,pluneerksecurin pin, and the -centrifi 1gally a( tllill (li t r locked controllingdevicesfivhich ar onil capable of joint actioni The plun gerfcon prises, preferably, a sheet-metal thimble'orT casing, snugly surrounding a core pi'ec' which is properly recessedto support the-o erative parts of the fuse. "Ina 'centra'lvr-fl cess at the lower end of theplungeris'iniourite ed asuitable primer, and communicating with the primer-cavity is long ithdiiial 'pas sageavay; in which is niountedthe reduced 7 5 lower end oi" the combined;firing piirand' .i pl'ungensecuring pin. 1 "This coinbiiiation pin is ormed with an enlarg d u )per-endywhich" affords an annular lockingeshoulder, with which engage the pluralit or centrifugal]; released controlling device A Thes'e'co'ntrolling devices rest inindivid-u mi ular chan y nels or recesses extending longitudinally in": the plunger in planes radial to the'plun'ger axis, each recess being i'nclinedslightlyfrorn 8 the longitudinal axis, so that the inner facts f devices'c-an surround orEpartially surrouiIi-i'; the combination-pm referred toandengage the annular shoulder for locking the s'aidpigs 99 v against movement Within the plunger. Eat: of'the controllingdevices'rests upon the lower c'dge of one of the oblong openings cutjinto the sheet-metal casingcf the plunger inreg istry with the angular recesses fof theplungericore, andin the operation of. said arts theirouter faces are projectedthroug said ob,- I I long openingsby the centrifugal actionandv, caused to .bear frictionallvagainst the mnerwall of the cavity ofth'e'hise-casingto ex ertljloo retarding influence upon the forward move: ment of the plunger in the fusewasing during the flight of the shell. Each controlling. part is shaped to .fit :freely. in one of theflangular recesses of the plunger-with its locking end 10 5 engageinentiviththe; combination fpillii YA Small -W r stsv in .av-l ngf tudirial j groove in the outer face of. each controlling part, one end of the spring being fixed to the controllingpart and the other endengaging beneath theplunger-casing.

To prevent individual movement of "the controlling.parts' and insure their simultaneous movement under the action of centrifug l force, I cut into the upper end of each controlling part two grooves or channels, which extend at angles of thirty de ees to radial planes of the plunger, in whic radial planes the controlling parts move. These grooves or channels are so arranged in thead- -jacent controlling parts that the adjacent grooves will be in alinement so long as the parts move in unison. Resting in each contiguous-pair of grooves or channels of adjacent controlling parts is a thin sheet-metal controlling-plate formed with an upwardlyp'ro ecting central lug orshoulder, which rests ina radial slot cut in the end of the plunger-casing. By reason of this arrangement it will be observed that each of the controllinglates can be moved only in a line radial to t e center of rotation of the fuse. It will also be. observed that in moving from closed to en position the contiguous grooves or channe s of adjacent controlling arts are always at right angles to this radia line on V fuse after this position has once is P which the engaged controlling-plate moves,

'so that the controlling parts will not bind upon the controlling-plates so long, as the controlling parts are moved simultaneously I: i by the action of centrifugal force but the instant one of the controlling parts attempts to move individually it is effectively held against movement by the engagement of its controlling-plates. The action of this improved fuse is, as stated above, broadly considered, the same as in my prior forms of fuse, the main differences being in details of construction by-Qwhich the fuse can be more economicall produced. A

I also provide in the improved fuse a deosition of the een assumed shell. This device vicefor maintaining the armed during the flight of the comprises a locking-ring, which is freely and eccentrically supported upon the enlarged end of the combined firing-pin and securingpin, so that during the flight of. the projectile said --locking-ring is caused to whirl around said combinationin by reason of its eccen- :tricity and gradua ly work forward upon the a pin until it slips off the end of the pin and assumes a osition between the end of the pin and the a utment or projection against which the pin is thrown upon the impact of the shell. As soon as this locking-ring 1s mterosed between said combination-pin and the abutment its eccentricity will retain-rt-in this interposed position, and as the space between the in and abutment is normally that is, in t e locked or safety posltion of the fuse-less. than the thickness of the ring it willbe-clear that it will be impossible for the combined firing and securing pin to move back into safety position. This device 1s of material importance, as it reduces the chances of failure upon the impact of the shell.

'of a controlling part.

In order that the invention may be full understood, I first describe the same wit reference to the accompanying drawings, and afterward point out the novelty and particularity in the annexed claims.

In said.drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a fuse embodying my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on the line a: at, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the delay action shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the sheet-metal shell of the plunger. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showingthe fuse in armed position. Fig. 6 is a top view of the core of the movable plunger; Fig. 7, a vertical sectional view on line y y of Fig. 6. are respectively a top view, an inner face view, an edge view, and an outer face view of a one of the centrifugally-actuated controlling arts. Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively a ace view and an edge view of the leaf-s ring Fig. 14 is a detai perspective view of one of the controllinglates.

Figs. 15 and 16 are transverse sectiona views of the fuse, taken on a larger scale and showing, respectively, the safety and armed posi tions of the parts.

My present improvements in fuses are applicable to any form of percussion-fuse,

. whether it be designed for a poi it-fuse or parts of my improved fuse.

a basefuse. I have illustrated my improvements .as ap lied to a base-fuse. 1 is a cylindrical fuse body or casing externally threaded at 2 for securing it in the usual threadedopening in the base of a shell, (indicated at S.) The fuse body or casing has a central longitudinal cavity 3 to receive the movable plunger carrying the operative This cavity 3 is formed with an annular shoulder 4, upon which rests a circular plate 5, formed with an annular series of openings 6 and a central opening 7, in which rests the stem 8 of a controller or delay-action valve 9. This controllervalve 9 is constructed as fully explained in In prior United States Letters .Patent, No. 630,621, dated August 8, 1899, and will not be further explained here, since it forms no part of the present invention, excepting as part of a novel combination and its coaction with the improved fuse. This delay-actlon valve 9 rests normally as shown in Fig. 1 ;of the Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11.

drawings, but is adapted to be forced up This cavity. 11 and IZQ -aflengitu (linally-inovable plunger consist- In .of itCQIQTDl'QCQfOl'l)led with suitable channe s and'r shell. l5iis the plunger'shell or casing, and 16 is the recessed core-piece. The shell 15 is made-preferably, of sheet metal stamped or spun into tlie desired cylindrical cup shape xiio radially-arranged equidistantopenings-15,

with one end open. The shell has cut into its cylindrical wall three longitudinallyarranged. oblong openings I 15 which are equ distant apart, and in its'end'wall a central circular opening 15 surrounded by three plunger core-piece 16 has a central longitudi-nally-extending socket 17, communrcating'a't one end with an enlarged screwthreaded cavity 18 and Communicating at the other emf-with a cavity 16, inwhich the lockingendof the combined firing and plunger-securing pin is supported, as hereinafter "exi'rlained. Three equidistant longitudinally-extending channels or recesses 24 are also cut into'the plu'nger'core-piece 16, said channel'sor recesses uniting in the pin-receivingcavity-16-and having their inner walls or and' the: cavity of the plug are packed with" p powder held in place by disk 18*, as shown.

The corepiece.16 is fitted in the shell 15, so that the-longitudinal walls offlthe core channels or recesses 24will register with the. longitudinal walls of the shell-openings 15",

the o'pen'end of the shell 15'.being then upsetjr s'waged inwardly over the beveled end of v "e core-piece to rigidly unite the core-piece andshell to form the plunger. I

21 is the combined firing-pin and plungersec'uring pin, formed with a reduced firing end 2l 'and an enlarged :head having an 'annular lcoking-shoulder'21 anda beveled end '2;1 The reduced end. of the pin fits loosely in the socket 17 of the plunger and is adapted when properly operated, as hereinafter explained, toconie into contact with and detonhte the primer 20; The enlarged head of in 21 rests in the cavity 16 in operative reation to the controlling. devices, WhlCllgWlll now be describe Resting in the angularlongitudinal re- ;ess'es 24 of the plunger are threecon-trolling arts 25 Each'of these controllingp arts is proper size and shape to loosely fit within iine ofttlre recesses 24, as shown iI -1,",Figs. 1, 5, '9, and 11,"the lower end ofeach part esses and a surrounding casing or resting upon the lower ed-ge of one of the ob long openings 15 of the plunger-shell to sufii i port the part in operative position, whilet inner face of each controlling part is cut on a slight angle to rest against-the angular inner face, 24 of the recess 24. v The contiguous complementary angular faces 25 of the locking ends of the control ling parts 25 are cut on lines radial to the axis of the'plunger 15 16 (assuming the parts 25 a'round the shouldered head of the combined firing and securing pin 21, each part having a curved notch 25 and a curved recess 25*, fitting around the reduced portion and enlarged portion, respectively, of in 21, thereby forming alocking-shoulderwliich is adaptedto engage the annular locking-shoulder 21 of the pin. The inclined main inner faces of parts 25 rest against, the correspondingly-inclin'ed faces 24"" of recesses 24 to cause the locking ends of the parts to assume their! locking engagement with the pin 21. The outer faces of the controlling parts are curved,

. to correspond with the curvature of the cav ity 3 of the fuse-body 1 each part having cut into'its outer curved surface a longitudinal groove 25", in which is mounted a' small leafs ring 26, the end 26 of which is secured to the part by swagingthe walls of groove 25 The free end of each spring 26 engages the cylindrical plunger-shell 15 above the upper end of'one of .the openings 15 to give the controlling parts a normal spring tendency to move inwardly'into locked posi- -tion. The upper portion of'the outer surface of eachcontrolling partis cut away at 25, to-allow the free movements of the controlling parts intoreleased position, as shown in Fig. 5, in'which position the main part ofthe outer curved surface of each part 25. projects through the oblong o ening 15 of the plunger-shell, and frictiona 1y contacts with the wall of the cavity 3 ofthe fuse-body, Each part 25 isalso formed with, a shaliow groove 25 in its inner face adjacent to its small endfor the purpose of providing afport or assagewvay for the flash from the primer, which asses through ports 24' of the plunger. I his will be hereinafter more fully explained. 1

To prevent the accidental individual movement and insure the simultaneous unlocking movement of the controlling parts under the action of centrifugal force, 1 provide a series of controlling-plates arran ed to move radially upon the plunger and having sliding angular engagement with the controlling parts.

In their movement from locked to unlocked I position the controlling parts move in planes radial to the axis of the plunger and at angles of one hundred and twenty degrees apart.

In the upper or looking end of each. controlling part 25 I out two grooves or channels to be in 100 ed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and, 15) to allow the said parts to fit snugly to the radial plane of the which extend at an angle of sixty de grees to each other-i. (2., each groove or channel extends at an angle of thirty degrees plunger in which the controlhng part moves. Resting loosely in each contiguous pair of grooves or channels 25 of adjacent controlling parts 25 is a stamped sheet-metal controlling-plate 27, formed with a central uide lug or shoulder which projects throng one of the radial guide-slots 1? of the plunger. There are three controlling-plates 27, arranged to move laterally in planes radial to the axis of the plunger, one hundred and twenty degrees apart. The core-piece 16 has recesses 16 cut into thelportion of the core which separates the recesses or channels 24 for the purpose of allowing room for thelateral movement of the controlling-plates 27. The radial planes in which the controlling-plates move are midway between the radial planes in'which the controlling parts 25 move, the grooves or channels 25 of the controlling parts extending in all positions of said parts at right angles to the planes of movement of the controlling-plates 27. By reason of this arrangement it will be observed that so long as all of the controlling parts 25 move outwardly simultaneously and equally the controlling-plates 27 will move outwardly in proportion, allowing the controlling parts to slide upon the controlling-plates. It will also be observed that any tendency of an individual controlling part to move separately will be resisted by the engagement of the controlling-plates. The springs 26 tend to hold the controlling parts 25 and controlling plates 27 normally in their inner locked position, so as to resist any slight outward opening tendency which might be caused by the accidental rotation of the fuse. The pressure of these springs 26 is readily overcome when the fuse is rotated during the flight of the shell. 'm

To insure the retention of the operative arts of the fuse in armed position after the shell equipped with my improved fuse has been fired from the gun and during its flight and before it strikes the target, I provide an auxiliary locking device in the shape of a ring 30 which is of sufficient diameter to loosely surround the enlarged end of the firing-pin 21, above the plunger 15 16. This lockingrin 30 during the flight of the shell equipped Wlfi'l my fuse is caused to whirl or gyrate around the pin 21 by reason of th e action of the rotation of the fly ng shell up n the eccentrically-supported ring. The whirling or gyrating inotion of the ring around the pm 21 causes it to gradually creep forward upon the firing-pin until it engages the beveled end 21 of the pin and the beveled end 8 of the abutment or stem of the controller-valve 9. In this position the ring 30. wedgesbetween the 21 and stem 8 by reason of its wh1rl ing action, as previous to this time the 0611'- trifugal force has released the controlling parts from their engagement with the pin, thereby releasing the pin to the action of the ring, which forces it rearwardly into the plunger in armed positlon. As soon as the pin 21 moves away from the stem 8 the ring 30 will move laterally between said pin and said stem and will be held in this iferposed position by reason of the continued rotation of the shell in its flight and will thereby prevent the return of the pin and controlling parts to unarmed position from any cause. i

The operation of my improved fuse will be understood from the following explanation: Normally the parts of the fuse are in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which osition it will be observed that the combine firing and 21. is securely 'locked plunger-securing pin against movement in the plunger toward the primer and by reason of the relatica of the end ofpin-with the stem or abutment 8 the plunger is retained in its rearward position in the fuse-casing. When the shell er nipped with my improved fuse is shot from t 1e gun,

it has imparted to 1t-a rapid rotation as well as a forward impulse. T he rapid revolution of the shell as it travels through the gun and afterward through the air tends to throw outwardly the three controlling parts 25; but until the centrifugal force exerted upon these parts is sufficient to overcome the friction of said parts in their supporting sockets or recesses (and this friction is of considerable magnitude while the shell is gaining in velocity in the gun) and the pressure of their springs and the air-cushions formed between said parts and the wall of the fuse-casing said controlling parts will not be moved outwardly. At the moment, however, that the centrifugal force is sufficiently stron to overcome these retarding influences sai controlling parts will be thrown outwardly simultaneously in their radial planes, as above explained, which ger-retaining and firing pin free to move inwardly in the plunger into firing relation with the primer, s5 id pin moving into its armed or firing position soon after its release by reason of the action of the ring 30, as above ex plained.

The inertia of the plunger and the parts supported thereby tends to move the plunger forwardly in the cavity 3 but the centrifugal force acting upon the controlling parts 25 causes them to frictionally engage the wall of the cavity 3, and thereby resist the tendency of the plunger as the shell is retarded more of less by the friction of the air in its flight. During the flight of the shell the delay-action valve 9 gradually moves up against the plug 10 by reason of its inertia, as the shell is retarded by the friction of the air. When the shell strikes the target, the thrown forward,

lplunger 15 16 is forcibly will leave the combined plunwhile the pin 21 held against any material movement by its engagement With the ring 30, which engages thestem' 8, so that the primerwill be detonated by the pin, causing the flash to pass throughthe port Ze -and groove 25, up through the central cavity 16 of the plunger, out through the radial openings 15 to the cavity of the fuse-casing,

' and through the series of openings 6 in ring 5, where it ignites the exposed edges of the powder packed in the delay-action valve 9. As soon as the powder in this delay-action valve burns, the flame and gas generated tend to force'the valve vrearwardly away from the plug 10 and to pass through the opening 12, thereby igniting the charge of powder 11, packed in the plug 10, which will I fflash into the bursting charge of the shell.

By reason of the violent retardation to which the plunger-is subjected during the instant of impact and subsequent passage ofthe proj ectile through an armored targetthe delayvalve is held closely in contact with the rear face pf plug 10, and no flame can reach the igniting powder 11. I/Vhen the shell has emerged from the target, this retarding force instantly ceases and the flame fo' ces the valve open and reaches the ignitioncharge.

I Thus the delayis governed by: the resistance encountered.

' Aside from the novel structure of my 1mproved fuse, specifically considered, I desire to claim, broadly, aperc'ussionduse comprising a casing, a firing-pin, adetonatingplunger movably mounted in the casing and movable With relationto thepin, a primer upon theplunger, and automatically-released controlling means also mounted upon or Within' the plunger.

is preferably loose in the casing and movably' The firing-pin or'securing-pin supported in the plunger; but I do not limit myself to this arrangement of said pin, sirice' it isjobvious that the pin can be made secure in the casing or be partly confined Without departing from, the spirit of my invention.

The automaticallyreleased controlling means upon the plunger are preferably centrifugally actuated and preferably arranged to engage and look upon the combined securing and firing pin; but I would have it understood that the controlling means upon the plunger may engage some other part such, for instance, as the casing of the f use' Without departing from my invention.

\ Having thus described my invention, the

following is What I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patenti 4 1. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a firing-pin, a plunger movable with relation tothe firin -pin in the casing, a primer carried by the 'pIunger, and

automatically-released nreans also carried by the plunger, andnormally holding the plunger against action. 2. In a fuse for pro ect les, the combination of a fuse-casin pin and normally holding the plunger against action.

- 4; Ina fuse for projectiles, the combinetion of a fuse-casing, a plunger movably mounted in'the casing, a primer carried by theplunger, a firing-pinloosely mounted in the casing and movable With relationtothe in, a. primer car;

plunger, and automatically released means upon the plunger engaging the firing-pin and normally'holding the primer and firing-pin 5. In a fuse for.projectile's,"the combine-- tion of afuse-casing, a plunger movably sup: ported in the fuse-casing, a primer mounted upon the plun er, ajcombined securing andfirmg pm l-oose lymounted in the casing and 9.5

movable Withrelation to the plunger, and

' automatically-released means mounted upon the plunger and normally engaging the'pinto hold the-pin away from the primer and the plunger in inactiveposition'in the casin 6 In a fuse-for projectiles, the com ination of a fuse-body, and aninertia-operated plunger movabl y supported in the fuse-body, a primer carried bythe plunger, Withaplungerere'tainin pin movably mountedin the plunger and adapted to engage asuitable stop or abutment, and automatically-re I leased controlling means mounted up'on the plunger and engaging the pin.

7. In a fuse for projectiles, the combiner tion of a fuse-body, a plunger movably sup ported in the fuse-body, a primer, a com-'- bined firing-pin and plunger seeuring pin movable with relation to. the fuse-body and, I

plunger, and centrifugally-operated controlling means mounted upon, the plunger and:

adapted to normally lock said firing and se- 3 curing pin in its inactive plunger-securing posi tion. a

8. In a fuse for projectiles, the combiner-I tionof ai'use-casing, a firing-pm, aplunger supported in the casing and movable with relation to the firing-pin, a primer'carried-by the plunger, and a plurality of ceritrifugalljfreleased controlling parts upon the'plunger engaging the firing-pin and normally holding" the primer and firing-pin apart, saidcontrol ling parts being free to move simultaneously v and incap able of individi'ual movement-g 9. In a fuse for projectiles, "the iconibina 1 tion of a fuse-casing, a combinedlungrsecuring-and'firing P n, a plunger SuPP'Qft the fuse-bodyand movable therein wit ,relation to sa d pm, a primer mounted jfu on'the plunger in operative relatlon,to '.the:firingpin, a plurality of centrifugally-released controllm parts mounted upon the plunger and normally engaging the in to hold the pin and the primer-apart ancFthe plunger in inactive position in the casing, and means normally preventingthe movement of the controlling arts and adapted to automatically release t em when they are moved simultathe controlling parts, and normally prevent the individual movement of said controlling parts.

11'. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a securing-pin, aplunger movable in the casing withrelation to said pin, a primer carried by the plunger, a plurality of controlling parts engaging said pin and arranged to move in planes radial to the axis of the plunger, and means normally preventing the individual movement of the controlling parts and compelling the simultameous movement of said parts when they are operated. y 1 r 12. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-easing, a securing-pin, a plu1iger movable in the casing with relation to said pin, a primer carried by the. plunger, a

plurality of movable controlling parts morlnted on the plunger to engage the securing-pin and arranged to move in planes radial'to the axis of the lunger, and. means normally pre' venting in ividual movement of the controlling parts and compelling the simultaneous movement of said parts when they are acted upon b centrifugal force.

, 13. n a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-body, a combined firing-pin and plunger-securing-pin, an inertia-operated 1 anger movably supported in the fuse-body and movaslu w h relation to said pin, a prim'er, a plurality o1 continuing; parts mounted upon the plunger m position to engage said pin and arranged to move in planes radial to the axis of the plunger, and means adapted to prevent the individual movement of said parts and compel the simultaneous movement of said parts under action of centrifugal fgrce.

14. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-body having a plun er-supporting cavity, an inertia-operated p unger movable in said'cavity, a primer, a pin movably mounted upon the plunger, a plurality of controlling parts mounted upon the plunger in position to engage and control said pin and movable in lanes radial to the axis of the plunger, sai controlling parts being adapted to frlctionally engage the wall of the plungersupporting cavity when they are operated,

and means engaging said. controlling arts adapted to normally prevent their indivldual movement and, when operated, to compel their simultaneous movement.

15. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a lunger movably mounted in the casing and ormed witha central longitudinal socket and a lurality of recesses arranged in planes radia to the axis of the plunger, a primer mounted upon the plunger, a pin projectin into said longitudinal socket, a p urality OI controlling parts movably mounted in said radial recesses, and means engaging said controlling parts adapted to prevent their individual movement and compelling their simultaneous movement.

'16. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a? plunger movably mounted in the casing, and formed with a central longitudinal socket and a plurality of recesses arranged-in, planes radial to the axis of the plunger, aprilner mounted upon the plunger, a, pin sup 7011;6(1 in said longitudinal socket, a plurality of controlling parts movably mounted in said radial recesses and formed with rooves or channels extending at angles of tiirty degrees to the planes in which the controlling. parts move, and controlling-plates engaging the grooves or channels of said controlling parts and adapted to prevent their individual movement and compelling their simultaneous movement. 17. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fusecasing, a cylindrical plunger movably unted in the casing and formed with a cen ral longitudinal socket, a plurality of recesses arranged in planes radial to the axis of the plunger and a )lurality of radial o enings in the end of the p unger, a pin movably supported in the longitudinal socket, a plurality of controlling parts movably mounted inthe recesses in position to engage the pin and formed with angular grooves or channels in their ends, and a plurality of controlling-plates resting loosely in the grooves or channels of the controlling parts and formed with lugs which project into said radial openin s.

18. In a fuse for pro ectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a lunger movably mounted in the casing and ormed with a longitudinal socket and a plurality ofrecesses arranged in planes radial to the axis of the plunger, a pin movably mounted in the longitudinal socket of the plunger, a plurality of controlling parts movably mounted in the recesses in position to engage the pin, and

'- e 20; Inafuse 4 tion" of a fuse-casing, a mounted "in the casing an havmga central longitu'dina'l Socket 1 and'the-recesses 24' l9.- In a fuse for projectiles, the Eombina tion of a fuse-casing, a plunger movably mounted in the casing and formed with a central pinreceiving socket and a plurality ofrecesses arranged in planes radial to the. axis of the plunger, a pin m'ovablymounted in said socket, a plurality of controlling parts movably moun ted in said re'cesses in position to enga e said pin,.each of said controlling arts being formed With a groove in its outer ace, springs mounted in the grooves of said controlling parts and engaging the Wall of the plunger to hold the controlling parts nor-- nially in locked position, and means prevent ing the individual movement ofthe controlling parts and permitting the simultaneous move ment of saidp-arts;

tion .of a fuse-casing,- a plunger movably mounted in the casing and formed of a cylindrical' shell 15, having a plurality of oblong fopenings 15 in its cylindrical side and an axial'openingf15 surrounded by radial open- I ings 15 in its end, anda core-piece 16 having .,.a[ce11-ti'al longitudinal socket -17'and.the-re cesses'24 arranged inplanes radial to the axis .of the plunger,,a'pin"2l projectinginto'the o ening' 15 and socket 17 of the plunger, :a

p urality of controlling parts 25 movably supported-in-the recesses 24 in position to engage l 1e pin and formed with grooves or channels I and a plurality'of controlling-plates 27 en; 1 "gaging the grooves or channels 25 insaidj} v p p v controlling; arts and having lugs projected? tion, with centrifugally released co'ntro ling finto said ra ialo enings e I I tiles, the combina-i 21''. In a fuse orprojec lunger .movably arranged in planesradial to the axis ofthe 4 plunger, a pin'21 projecting intothe socket 17 t of the plunger, a plurality of controlling parts movably supported'in the recesses 24' 1nosition to engage the pin and each part 25 eing formed with grooves or channels extendmg" at angles of thirty degreesxto the re dial'plane of the plunger-in Which said art moves, and a lurality of. controlling?) ates '27:.engag gt'ie channels cut 1n sai controllin parts. T e

22. n a fuse for projectiles, the comblna- 'tion of a fuse-casing, a plunger movahly "mounted in thecasing, and formed-ofa cylin- ,i drical "shell 15 having a plurality of oblong openings in, its'cylindricalside and a corepiece 16 having a central longitudinal socket 17 and the reeesses 24 arranged in planes rafor PI'OjGOhllGS,-tl16 combine in armed position. i v

26. In a fuse for projectiles, the combmadial to the axis. of the plunger, a'pin 21 pro-- jecting into the socket 17 of the plunger, a

plurality of controlling parts 25 movably supported in the recesses 24 in position to engage the pin, springs'26 secured to the controllin parts and engaging the inner wall ofthe'shell 15 to normally hold the controlling parts in" their inner engaged position, and automat i'cally-released means preventing the indi vidual-movement and permitting the simultaneous movement of the controlling parts under'the action of centrifu alforce.

23. In a fuse for projecti es, the combination of a fuse-casing, a plunger movably mountedin the casing and formed with acentral longitudinal socket and a plurality of recesses arranged in planes radial to the axis of the plunger, a primer, a pin movable in the central socket of the plunger and formed With a looking-shoulder, a plurality of controlling parts formed with looking shoulders and movably supported in the recesses irfposition to engage the lockin shoulder of the in-and means controlling t e operationof t e controlling parts. v i

24. Ina fuse for projectilesi the combination of a fuse-body, and the plunger and pin supported inthe fuse-body and axially mov- I [able relatively to placethem in armed position, with automatically-rel easedcontrolling means normally preventing relative niovement between the plunger andpin, and cen trifugally-operated means freed bysaid 0on5 .trolling'means an'dadapted to lock the relatively movable plunger and pin in armed position; I

25. In a fuse for projectiles;the combination of a fuse-body, a plungercarrying a pri-' I mer and a firing-pin, the plunger and firingpin being capable-ofrela'tive axial movement n" the fuse-body to place them inarmedosition of a fuse-body, a.plunger carrying a primer, anda firing-pin, the plunger and firingmovable plung rd i pinbeing capable ofrelatiye movement my the fuse-body tolpla'ce'theminjarmed' osi-' tion, with centrifugally-released. contro ling means normally preventing relative movementbetween the plunger and firingpin, and

a part supported eccentrically uponthe firingpin and adapted to be operated by centrifu.'-

gal force to locktherelativly movable plunger and pin in armed position after they are.-

-releasedby'the controlling means: v

27. In a fuse for projectiles, the'comb1na-.

izg

tion ofa fuse bod a plunger carrying a'prime and movab v mounted in the fuse=body, v

a pin. movably mounted in the plunger, "a" 139 movable plunger and pin in armed position after the releasing action of the controlling means. v

29. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-body, a plunger. a primer, and a firing-pin, the plunger and firing-pin being capable of relative movement in-the fusebody to place them in armed position, with centrifugally-released controlling means normall y preventing relative movement between the plunger and pin, and an eccentrically-rotating device independent of the plunger and movable radially of the plunger to lock the i relatively movable plunger and pin in armed position.

30. In a tion of a fuse-body, a plunger a primer, and a firing-pin, the p unger and firing-pin being axially movable relatively to place them in armed position, with centrifugally-released controlling means normally preventing relative movement between theplunger and pin, and an eccentric device supported to rotate ndependently of the plunger around the avis fuse for projectiles, the eomb na-' of the plunger and arranged to be moved by its rotation into position to be shifted radially of the plunger by centrifugal force, said radial movement of said device placing it in position to lock the relatively movable plunger and pin in armed position.

31. In a fuse for projectiles, the combina' t-ion of a fuse-body, a plunger movably mounted in the fuse-body, a primer carried by the plunger, an abutmentsupported in the casing, a securing-pin movably mounted.

in the plunger and supported thereby in position to engage said abutment, a lockingring eceentrically supported upon the pin and adapted to be interposed between the pin and abutment and automatically-released controlling parts normally engaging the pin.

32. In a fuse for projectiles, the combination of a fuse-casing, a plunger movably supported in the casing, a primer carried by the plungerg a pin movably mounted in the plan ger and formed with a beveled end, a stem or abutment supported in the easing in position to engage the projecting end of the pin, a locking-ring loosely surrounding the project.- ing end of the pin and adapted to be whirled upon the pin during the flight of the shell to be moved between the pin and said almtting stem, and automatically released means upon the plunger normally holding the pin against movement.

HENRY P. MERRIAM.

\Vitnesses:

Tillman P. HAMMOND, WM. 15. Know. 

